Provence from Fayence: Provence Guide

Riviera Massage

Apprarently oriental masseuses have been cleaning up on the beaches of the French Riviera, at least until local red tape intervened. Teams of Chinese women have been massaging away in Cannes, Antibes and Juan-les-Pins last month, offering camphor oil massages for about €20. (Bargain at the price).

But...Michel Durand, head of the French Council of Masseurs and Physiotherapists (that'll be the local branch), demanded police intervention to stop what he described as unauthorised massages: “You can only practise massage in France if you have a state diploma and are registered with the local prefecture." And so, Police have begun chasing the masseuses away from the seafront after complaints from physios.

This all sounds like an amusing case of  globalisation (low cost skilled labour) versus local protectionism.

Drome

Drome is nNot quite Provence, but you have to go through it if you're driving down. I enjoyed this piece in Telegraph about Drome, covering Le Palais des Bonbons et du Nougat in Montelimar, La Ferme aux Crocodiles and the gorgeous town of Grignan.

"Here is a land at that point where Provence and the Alps, the Dauphiné and the Rhône valley all segue into one another, with Provence in the ascendant...this is the south we've always longed for: of hills, mountains and lost valleys, of olives and vines, of lavender, cicadas and warm, scented breezes in the late afternoon."

Solar powered insect killer

Each summer and season brings a plague of different bugs and insects to Provence. One year it's two-inch millipedes, drawn out into the sunshine after torrential downpours. The next season it's the stupid, lazy longhorn beetle you bump into everywhere.

Our pet hate is the flying ant who rock up for a few days and hunt down candle-light in droves as you're relaxing on the patio.Normally, we burn citronella candles to deter these beasts.

Now, I think I've discoverd a way of nuking them once and for all: the solar powered insect killer. Simple in name and concept, but will it work as efficientlly as it suggests? Low in carbon print, will it be high in death rates? Guidance sought!